October 21, 2023
Review RecipeSalsa Chicken
Covered in tomato salsa and melted cheese, this salsa chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to add a little something extra to your chicken.
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This salsa chicken is a great way to dress up your chicken for a delicious weeknight meal. Loaded with rich savory flavor, this chicken is smothered with tomato salsa and gooey melted cheese and baked to bubbling perfection.
Our bruschetta chicken and French onion chicken are two more chicken dishes that are cheesy and delicious.
Salsa Chicken Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or try our homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 jar (418 milliliters) salsa (mild or medium)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
PRO TIP:
It is best to grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese comes coated with an anti-caking agent and it doesn’t tend to melt quite as well as cheese grated from the block.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
CHICKEN: You could use chicken thighs instead of boneless chicken breasts in this easy recipe. You may have to watch your cooking time for doneness and may need a couple of extra thighs to end up with the same quantity of chicken.
CHEESE: While mozzarella is the classic choice and melts so well on top of the chicken, you can certainly use a different cheese. Try cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese as an alternative. You could also sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
SALSA: If you’d like to make homemade salsa instead of using store-bought salsa, check out our salsa recipe for a yummy option. If you’d prefer to use a green salsa instead of a red one, you could certainly turn this recipe into a salsa verde chicken dish.
SPICE: Depending on how spicy you’d like your chicken, you could use mild salsa, medium salsa, or hot salsa.
TOPPINGS: You could make this flavorful chicken even more delicious by adding a few of your favorite toppings before serving. Try sour cream or a little bit of green onions for two tasty additions.
How to Make This Salsa Chicken Recipe
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
STEP TWO: Spray a 9×13 baking dish.
STEP THREE: In the baking dish, stir together the olive oil and taco seasoning.
STEP FOUR: Add one chicken breast at a time to the baking dish, flipping each over in olive oil mixture to cover both the top and bottom of each chicken breast.
PRO TIP:
For a faster cooking time, you could cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Thinner chicken breasts take about 25 to 30 minutes to cook.
STEP FIVE: Arrange the chicken flat in the baking dish and pour salsa over the top.
PRO TIP:
Make sure that there is enough room in your baking dish so that the chicken doesn’t overlap. It will take the chicken longer to bake otherwise.
STEP SIX: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken of at least 165°F.
STEP SEVEN: Sprinkle shredded cheese over top of the cooked chicken breasts and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
STEP EIGHT: Serve hot.
How To Serve
This easy salsa chicken recipe will be a sure hit on busy weeknights. Serve with our Spanish rice and roasted vegetables for a Mexican-inspired complete meal. Or add creamy garlic pasta and a simple Caesar salad on the side.
MORE MEXICAN DISH RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
IN THE FREEZER: This easy dinner will keep in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. To freeze, allow the leftovers to cool in the refrigerator before transferring them to a freezer-safe container and placing them in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
The whole family will proclaim this Mexican chicken dish as a winner. Even better, it’s made and baked in one dish for easy clean up. With only a few minutes of prep time and five simple ingredients, you’ll have a tasty main course to serve with easy sides.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long should I bake chicken for?
Chicken should be baked until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Can I use chicken thighs in this recipe?
This simple recipe will also work with chicken thighs, although keep in mind that it will likely take less time to bake. Follow the guidelines for ensuring that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I freeze leftover chicken?
This easy baked salsa chicken will keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Taco Bake
- Baked Burritos
- Taquitos
- Taco Lasagna
- Smothered Pork Chops
- French Onion Pork Chops
- Chicken and Shrimp Tacos
- Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
- 30 Minute Chicken Chimichanga
- Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
- Pineapple Salsa
- Mexican Layered Salad
- Chicken Finger Dipping Sauce
- Popcorn Chicken
- Chicken Taco Casserole
- Chicken Pot Pie with Tater Tots
- Taco Ring
Salsa Chicken
Covered in tomato salsa and melted cheese, this salsa chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to add a little something extra to your chicken.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, store-bought or try our homemade taco seasoning
- 1 jar salsa, 418 milliliters (mild or medium)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish.
- In the baking dish, stir together the olive oil and taco seasoning.
- Add one chicken breast at a time to baking dish, flipping each over in olive oil mixture to cover both top and bottom of each chicken breast.
- Arrange the chicken flat in baking dish and pour salsa over the top.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Sprinkle the cheese over top of chicken and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Note: It is best to grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese comes coated with an anti-caking agent and it doesn’t tend to melt quite as well as cheese grated from the block.
Note: For a faster cooking time, you could cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Thinner chicken breasts take about 25 to 30 minutes to cook.
Note: Make sure that there is enough room in your baking dish so that the chicken doesn’t overlap. It will take the chicken longer to bake otherwise.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Marla says
Simple and delicious dinner option!
Melanie Chesser says
How long would I cook this if using crockpot?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Melanie – I would do low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 and check the internal temp of your chicken. Depending on the size of the chicken, it may need more time. I would add the cheese at the end and allow to melt a bit with the lid on before serving. Enjoy!